Ishan Pandita becomes first Indian footballer to sign La Liga club

Ishan Pandita took a sabbatical from studies to pursue football

Bengaluru, Oct 7 (UITV)- India may not be a huge name in world football, but there are some youngsters trying to make a mark at the world stage. One such player – Ishan Pandita – from Bengaluru has become the first Indian player to get a professional contract from a La Liga club when he signed a one year deal with Leganes.

Leganes are currently in 11th position in the La Liga table after making a historical leap into the top flight of football in Spain for the first time in their history. Ishan grew up in the Philippines, and moved to Bengaluru seven years ago.

The player has been handed number 50 jersey by the club, but Ishan will not get to play his trade straightaway. First he will feature for the U-19s. The Leganes U-19 side plays in the fourth division of the Spanish league and is the perfect place for the Bengaluru lad to further develop his skills and prepare for an eventual call-up to the main squad.

Speaking about his growth over the years which contributed in his signing with Leganes, Pandita says, “It was a bit hard to adapt and play the Spanish way in my initial days here. But since all the training I got during my formative years was from British coaches in Philippines, where I lived for a few years, the transition was smooth.”

Ishan is not completely new to Spanish football as he has been part of other lower-rung teams in the country, so he knows the style of football played in Spain.

It will be great occasion to Indian football when Ishan makes his La Liga debut. Such things will inspire other youngsters in the country to work hard and achieve their dreams of playing at the big European stage.